This looks like it will be my final week. I am about out of Chicken and Ground Beef and the pantry is looking a bit sparce... not to mention the freezer!
Again we will start with last week's meals:
Sunday - Chicken Empenadas (shredded chicken, spices and olives) - these didn't turn out as well as I had hoped. I used Garam Masala to hopefully give them a "special" flavor... they sure did. they were a bit sweet. They weren't horrible but not what they should have been. This was for the family dinner.
Monday - BBQ Beef Sandwiches (with the roast I have and that is why I needed the buns and sauce.) These turned out AWESOME. I did my own fried onion rings and put pickles on it. Delicious! The roast shredded in the crock pot. perfect!
Tuesday - Tacos (was out of cheese :) ) - always a good choice for this family.
Wednesday - I haven't put anything for this day - since the boys have scouts - we usually just grab whatever is in the fridge... maybe left overs - I had Ramen Noodles :)
Thursday - Chili (yes again!) - this did turn out well - but I wish i had made corn bread to go with
Friday - Chicken and rice caserole - well this simply didn't happen. I had good intentions - but I went off to get my hair cut and ate while we were out. (Hate to say it but I broke down and got that 2 meals for $30 at Red Lobster. YUM on the shrimp!)
So this week the shopping bill was slightly higher - $76. I had to get toilet paper and I did break down and get some of the Mega Event items at Smith's. The canned tomato product supply was running out and at .48 cents a can - you can't deny it. I didn't go crazy though because you could mix and match the buy 10.
So I got
Canned diced Tomatoes
Tomato Sauce
Tomato Paste
Grated Cheese
Milk
Eggs
Half/Half
Heavy Cream
Bread
Asparagus
Lemons
Grated Parm Cheese
Tomatoes
Canned Mushrooms
Toilet Paper
Hamburger Buns
On the menu:
Sun - Chicken, beans, rice - this turned out HORRIBLE. the chicken somehow dried out in the crock pot and the whole thing lacked flavor even though I cooked it with green beans, diced onion, chicken broth and seasonings.
Monday - Hamburgers - we hadn't had cheeseburgers in a while so this was a hit.and served with French Fries. I did try making deep fried pickles - batter was too thick - so the boys weren't very impressed.
Tuesday - Shrimp Alfredo - the sauce came out grainy - like the parm didn't melt - but it was very tastey. The shrimp was a hit with Erik. Josh decided to make scrambled eggs due to his aversion to sea food.
Wednesday - off day
Thursday - Chicken Cacciatore in the crock pot
Friday - Meatloaf with asparagus
So for that last 4 weeks I believe I have spent less than $200 on grocery shopping - although not my desired $20 a week - coming in at less than $50 is amazing for this family of 5 (did I mention I have three teen age sons - all over 6' tall?)
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
Sunday, January 30, 2011
Week 3 OPL
This week I emabark on my third week of eating out of the Pantry/Freezer and attempting to keep my grocery costs to $20.
Let's start with the status of last weeks meals:
Tonight - Lasagna (using the left over meat from the ravioli's last week) - This actually would have been successful if I had covered the pan with foil for the first part so it dried out a bit. I did make homemade sauce for it :)
Monday - Carnitas (using bonless rib meat and my last can of green chili enchilada sauce) - Oh my goodness! Who knew this would be a hit! I put the ribs, green enchilada sauce, onions, garlic, garlic salt a bit of water in the crock pot and let it cook all day. The meat tore apart easily when I came home - I added a bit more salt, onion, a couple dashes of red pepper, black pepper and a can of cream of mushroom soup. Served with warm flour tortillas, cheese, diced tomatoes and diced onion.
Tuesday - Green Salad with grilled chicken - I did not make this - I made the chili instead :)
I had top ramen noodles on Wednesday night (the boys have scouts on Wednesday.)
Wednesday - Chili - Always a hit but I had to make modifications. I did not have anymore cans of diced green chilis - so I cut up very fine a jalepeno. I put 3 kinds of beans, ground beef, diced onion, garlic, tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, cumin, garlic salt, dashes of red pepper, black pepper... I let it cook all day in the crock pot again. It was delish! served with grated cheese, diced onion (and ketchup - it was a bit spicey!)
Thursday - Ravioli - this bombed. The sauce wasn't very good and the ravioli... well they weren't very good last week either. again never making homemade again :)
Friday - Sweet and Sour Chicken - the boys were off to a boy scout function so I was lazy and Darren wasn't hungry - so this didn't get made either. HOWEVER - I am using the chicken to make chicken empenadas for my family dinner tonight.
So this week my shopping list was fairly short but had to get a couple extra things (not to mention I need to go back today and get toilet paper, laundry detergent and drano. But those aren't grocery things anyway.)
Shopping list:
Diced Green Chilis
Olives (black and green)
BBQ Sauce
Ketchup
Peanut Butter
Milk
Half and Halk
Apples
Plates (disposable)
Shredded Cheese
Bell Pepper
OJ
Bread
Hamburger buns
Total - $36.37 (Green Chili's were on sale for .59 a can, Ketchup (name brand!) was cheaper than generic, shredded cheese - got store brand as it was on sale. The OJ, Milk, and creamer on sale. Got creamer instead of half and half because it was cheaper.
I immediately could have saved $5 not getting juice... but I could have bought worse things. (Smith's is doing their "Buy 10 and save" campaign! It about KILLED me.
Menu for this week:
Sunday - Chicken Empenadas (shredded chicken, spices and olives)
Monday - BBQ Beef Sandwiches (with the roast I have and that is why I needed the buns and sauce.)
Tuesday - Tacos (was out of cheese :) )
Wednesday - I haven't put anything for this day - since the boys have scouts - we usually just grab whatever is in the fridge... maybe left overs
Thursday - Chili (yes again!)
Friday - Chicken and rice caserole
Each week I do this I realize more and more that I am an impulse buyer. ITS ON SALE - I MUST BUY IT! It's the fight I have in my head as I walk through the store.
My goal was to do at least 3 weeks if not 5. Now I am thinking it 4 may be the max my freezer can handle. We will see at the end of this week. Wish me luck!
Let's start with the status of last weeks meals:
Tonight - Lasagna (using the left over meat from the ravioli's last week) - This actually would have been successful if I had covered the pan with foil for the first part so it dried out a bit. I did make homemade sauce for it :)
Monday - Carnitas (using bonless rib meat and my last can of green chili enchilada sauce) - Oh my goodness! Who knew this would be a hit! I put the ribs, green enchilada sauce, onions, garlic, garlic salt a bit of water in the crock pot and let it cook all day. The meat tore apart easily when I came home - I added a bit more salt, onion, a couple dashes of red pepper, black pepper and a can of cream of mushroom soup. Served with warm flour tortillas, cheese, diced tomatoes and diced onion.
Tuesday - Green Salad with grilled chicken - I did not make this - I made the chili instead :)
I had top ramen noodles on Wednesday night (the boys have scouts on Wednesday.)
Wednesday - Chili - Always a hit but I had to make modifications. I did not have anymore cans of diced green chilis - so I cut up very fine a jalepeno. I put 3 kinds of beans, ground beef, diced onion, garlic, tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, cumin, garlic salt, dashes of red pepper, black pepper... I let it cook all day in the crock pot again. It was delish! served with grated cheese, diced onion (and ketchup - it was a bit spicey!)
Thursday - Ravioli - this bombed. The sauce wasn't very good and the ravioli... well they weren't very good last week either. again never making homemade again :)
Friday - Sweet and Sour Chicken - the boys were off to a boy scout function so I was lazy and Darren wasn't hungry - so this didn't get made either. HOWEVER - I am using the chicken to make chicken empenadas for my family dinner tonight.
So this week my shopping list was fairly short but had to get a couple extra things (not to mention I need to go back today and get toilet paper, laundry detergent and drano. But those aren't grocery things anyway.)
Shopping list:
Diced Green Chilis
Olives (black and green)
BBQ Sauce
Ketchup
Peanut Butter
Milk
Half and Halk
Apples
Plates (disposable)
Shredded Cheese
Bell Pepper
OJ
Bread
Hamburger buns
Total - $36.37 (Green Chili's were on sale for .59 a can, Ketchup (name brand!) was cheaper than generic, shredded cheese - got store brand as it was on sale. The OJ, Milk, and creamer on sale. Got creamer instead of half and half because it was cheaper.
I immediately could have saved $5 not getting juice... but I could have bought worse things. (Smith's is doing their "Buy 10 and save" campaign! It about KILLED me.
Menu for this week:
Sunday - Chicken Empenadas (shredded chicken, spices and olives)
Monday - BBQ Beef Sandwiches (with the roast I have and that is why I needed the buns and sauce.)
Tuesday - Tacos (was out of cheese :) )
Wednesday - I haven't put anything for this day - since the boys have scouts - we usually just grab whatever is in the fridge... maybe left overs
Thursday - Chili (yes again!)
Friday - Chicken and rice caserole
Each week I do this I realize more and more that I am an impulse buyer. ITS ON SALE - I MUST BUY IT! It's the fight I have in my head as I walk through the store.
My goal was to do at least 3 weeks if not 5. Now I am thinking it 4 may be the max my freezer can handle. We will see at the end of this week. Wish me luck!
Sunday, January 23, 2011
OPL Week 2
So week one down and starting on week 2.
I went shopping today. I spent $20.52. Can you believe it? I did up it to two gallons of milk this week (the boys were REALLY complaining.) This weeks shopping list:
2 green bell peppers
1 cucumber
2 milk
1 Simply OJ (it was actually on sale and cheaper than others)
1 loaf of bread
1 bag of shredded cheese
2 doz eggs
Meals for this week:
Tonight - Lasagna (using the left over meat from the ravioli's last week)
Monday - Carnitas (using bonless rib meat and my last can of green chili enchilada sauce)
Tuesday - Green Salad with grilled chicken
Wednesday - Chili
Thursday - Ravioli
Friday - Sweet and Sour Chicken
Last week... how'd I do? Did the family like it? Well here is the breakdown...
Saturday - Homemade Ravioli - Pasta making pretty much is for the birds. I will not be doing this again. (Unless a pasta machine magically shows up at my door.)
Sunday - Chicken Pot Pie (home made) - This turned out most excellent. Erik loved it! I had an extra to take to work for lunch. (used crossaint rolls as the top.)
Monday - Fajitas w/fresh pico de gallo - These also turned out most excellent! The boys chowed down the meat that was simply marinated in soy and worchester sauce then grilled. I forgot the pico de gallo - so I now have jalepeno's I need to find a use for.
Tuesday - Green Chili Chick Enchiladas - Another hit! I didn't realize how much my sons love these. I only made 14 (one pan) and I should have made two pans. I will keep this in mind for the future.
Wednesday - Meatloaf w/mashed potatoes - This was my first "free form" meatloaf. I always used a loaf pan before. This turned out very well with a bit of sauteed green pepper and onion added to the meat/bread crumb/seasonings. I still have a bit of this left over as well.
Thursday - Crunchy Chicken Strips (from my new Better Homes and Garden Cookbook) w/green beans - Darren added parmasean cheese to the mix and I used bread crumbs not crackers. They turned out very well - could have used a minute or two more to get a bit more crunchy - but still all gone!
Friday - Ranch Style Chicken Salad (which takes left overs from the night before) - Darren ate it. The boys did not. My guess is since they had half days and this was the last day of them - they came home and ate all day. The Girl Scouts showed up shortly after it was served and three of the four plates came back down not touched. (one of the hungrier GS ate one along with her tacos.)
Boys swore I wouldn't make it a week. I got at least 2 to go! (Being broke certainly helps!)
I never realized how difficult it would be to a) spend only $20 and b) resist the sales.
I can't begin to tell you how the Campbell's soups - 10 for $10 was calling my name or that jeez - I REALLY don't need avocado or jeez if you put back the blue cheese you really don't need you could get 2 of the shredded cheeses that the rest of the family LOVE. All those signs for what is reduced price SERIOUSLY scream my name as I walk by... I have a problem. I am a shopaholic.
I went shopping today. I spent $20.52. Can you believe it? I did up it to two gallons of milk this week (the boys were REALLY complaining.) This weeks shopping list:
2 green bell peppers
1 cucumber
2 milk
1 Simply OJ (it was actually on sale and cheaper than others)
1 loaf of bread
1 bag of shredded cheese
2 doz eggs
Meals for this week:
Tonight - Lasagna (using the left over meat from the ravioli's last week)
Monday - Carnitas (using bonless rib meat and my last can of green chili enchilada sauce)
Tuesday - Green Salad with grilled chicken
Wednesday - Chili
Thursday - Ravioli
Friday - Sweet and Sour Chicken
Last week... how'd I do? Did the family like it? Well here is the breakdown...
Saturday - Homemade Ravioli - Pasta making pretty much is for the birds. I will not be doing this again. (Unless a pasta machine magically shows up at my door.)
Sunday - Chicken Pot Pie (home made) - This turned out most excellent. Erik loved it! I had an extra to take to work for lunch. (used crossaint rolls as the top.)
Monday - Fajitas w/fresh pico de gallo - These also turned out most excellent! The boys chowed down the meat that was simply marinated in soy and worchester sauce then grilled. I forgot the pico de gallo - so I now have jalepeno's I need to find a use for.
Tuesday - Green Chili Chick Enchiladas - Another hit! I didn't realize how much my sons love these. I only made 14 (one pan) and I should have made two pans. I will keep this in mind for the future.
Wednesday - Meatloaf w/mashed potatoes - This was my first "free form" meatloaf. I always used a loaf pan before. This turned out very well with a bit of sauteed green pepper and onion added to the meat/bread crumb/seasonings. I still have a bit of this left over as well.
Thursday - Crunchy Chicken Strips (from my new Better Homes and Garden Cookbook) w/green beans - Darren added parmasean cheese to the mix and I used bread crumbs not crackers. They turned out very well - could have used a minute or two more to get a bit more crunchy - but still all gone!
Friday - Ranch Style Chicken Salad (which takes left overs from the night before) - Darren ate it. The boys did not. My guess is since they had half days and this was the last day of them - they came home and ate all day. The Girl Scouts showed up shortly after it was served and three of the four plates came back down not touched. (one of the hungrier GS ate one along with her tacos.)
Boys swore I wouldn't make it a week. I got at least 2 to go! (Being broke certainly helps!)
I never realized how difficult it would be to a) spend only $20 and b) resist the sales.
I can't begin to tell you how the Campbell's soups - 10 for $10 was calling my name or that jeez - I REALLY don't need avocado or jeez if you put back the blue cheese you really don't need you could get 2 of the shredded cheeses that the rest of the family LOVE. All those signs for what is reduced price SERIOUSLY scream my name as I walk by... I have a problem. I am a shopaholic.
Saturday, January 15, 2011
Operation "Pantry Living" Step 1
So here is the plan - spend less than $20 a week at least for the next 3 weeks. (If not 5... I am working toward pay weeks and I am in the middle of a pay period now... in case your wondering why the odd amount.)
Why am I doing this? A couple reasons. A) To see if my family of 5 can B) To save money C) I am a shop-a-holic - since I can't afford to buy clothes or shoes (a dire necessity for a girlie girl) I have found myself buying ridiculous amounts of groceries to compensate which leads to D) Clean out the PANTRY!
Today's Shopping list -
Bag of Dog Food (not included in the $20)
1 gal of milk
Bread
Potatoes
Tomatoes
Jalepenos
1 pkg cream cheese
Here is my menu for the next week:
Saturday - Homemade Ravioli
Sunday - Chicken Pot Pie (home made)
Monday - Fajitas w/fresh pico de gallo
Tuesday - Green Chili Chick Enchiladas
Wednesday - Meatloaf w/mashed potatoes
Thursday - Crunchy Chicken Strips (from my new Better Homes and Garden Cookbook) w/green beans
Friday - Ranch Style Chicken Salad (which takes left overs from the night before)
Wish me luck.
Here is the list of what I currently have on hand: (b=box/bottle/bag, p=package, c=can, j=jar)
Pantry
1 b each - Cheerios, crisp rice, choc cheerios
1 b (Sam's club size) Oatmeal
1 b Bisquick / 1 b Cream of Wheat
1 b & 1/2 of Pancake Mix
8 sleeves saltines
14 p Ramen Noodles
4 c Evap Milk
2 b Syrup
1 j Peanut Butter / 4 misc j of Jelly
4 b chipotle hot sauce
4 c gravy
2 c whole berry cranberry sauce
18 c tuna / 1 c chicken (chunk)
1 c diced green chilis
2 b lasgna noodles / 4 p spaghetti
1 b rice
1 b craisins
2 lrg p corn tortillas / 1 lrg p flour tortillas
1 lrg b Tort Chips
8 misc p cake mix
3 b misc rice mix (Zatarains)
1 b stuffing
1/2 b potato flakes
2 p bread crumbs
5 c corn and peas / 2 c green beans
10 c chicken broth
3 c pineapple chunks
4 c chick noodle soup
5 c Cream of Mushroom, C. of Chick, 4 of C. of Brocc
1 c Tomato soup
3 p Dry Pinto beans / 1 p Dry Navy beans
1 p French Onion Dry
3 c Refried beans / 4 c each Kidney, Pinto beans
6 c Tomato Sauce / 6 c Diced Tomatoes
4 c diced italian style tomatoes
2 c green chili sauce
8 onions
Freezer
10 p Chicken breasts
9 1lb p hamburger
1 roast
1 pork loin
1 p hot dogs
1 p flank steak (Sam's club)
8 b butter
2 1lb p shredded mozz cheese
2 each p Ham Hock, ham steak
1 pkg e ground pork, spicey italian sausage
1/2 p peas
1 b peas/carrots
1 2lb p shrimp
2 1lb bg mex style shredded cheese
4 p sliced cheese
2 p taco meat
3 p pepperoni
1/2 bag french fries and hashbrowns
Fridge
2 gallons Milk
2 dz eggs
2 green peppers
2 tomatoes
1 lrg p Salad mix
3 naan bread
1 p pre-cooked bacon
2/3 p of raw bacon
1 celery
2 p crossaints
parm cheese
3 lemons
1 eggplant
and misc dressings, condiments, left over lunch meats, cheese etc.
So there you have it. I guess we will see how much it is reduced over the next month.
Why am I doing this? A couple reasons. A) To see if my family of 5 can B) To save money C) I am a shop-a-holic - since I can't afford to buy clothes or shoes (a dire necessity for a girlie girl) I have found myself buying ridiculous amounts of groceries to compensate which leads to D) Clean out the PANTRY!
Today's Shopping list -
Bag of Dog Food (not included in the $20)
1 gal of milk
Bread
Potatoes
Tomatoes
Jalepenos
1 pkg cream cheese
Here is my menu for the next week:
Saturday - Homemade Ravioli
Sunday - Chicken Pot Pie (home made)
Monday - Fajitas w/fresh pico de gallo
Tuesday - Green Chili Chick Enchiladas
Wednesday - Meatloaf w/mashed potatoes
Thursday - Crunchy Chicken Strips (from my new Better Homes and Garden Cookbook) w/green beans
Friday - Ranch Style Chicken Salad (which takes left overs from the night before)
Wish me luck.
Here is the list of what I currently have on hand: (b=box/bottle/bag, p=package, c=can, j=jar)
Pantry
1 b each - Cheerios, crisp rice, choc cheerios
1 b (Sam's club size) Oatmeal
1 b Bisquick / 1 b Cream of Wheat
1 b & 1/2 of Pancake Mix
8 sleeves saltines
14 p Ramen Noodles
4 c Evap Milk
2 b Syrup
1 j Peanut Butter / 4 misc j of Jelly
4 b chipotle hot sauce
4 c gravy
2 c whole berry cranberry sauce
18 c tuna / 1 c chicken (chunk)
1 c diced green chilis
2 b lasgna noodles / 4 p spaghetti
1 b rice
1 b craisins
2 lrg p corn tortillas / 1 lrg p flour tortillas
1 lrg b Tort Chips
8 misc p cake mix
3 b misc rice mix (Zatarains)
1 b stuffing
1/2 b potato flakes
2 p bread crumbs
5 c corn and peas / 2 c green beans
10 c chicken broth
3 c pineapple chunks
4 c chick noodle soup
5 c Cream of Mushroom, C. of Chick, 4 of C. of Brocc
1 c Tomato soup
3 p Dry Pinto beans / 1 p Dry Navy beans
1 p French Onion Dry
3 c Refried beans / 4 c each Kidney, Pinto beans
6 c Tomato Sauce / 6 c Diced Tomatoes
4 c diced italian style tomatoes
2 c green chili sauce
8 onions
Freezer
10 p Chicken breasts
9 1lb p hamburger
1 roast
1 pork loin
1 p hot dogs
1 p flank steak (Sam's club)
8 b butter
2 1lb p shredded mozz cheese
2 each p Ham Hock, ham steak
1 pkg e ground pork, spicey italian sausage
1/2 p peas
1 b peas/carrots
1 2lb p shrimp
2 1lb bg mex style shredded cheese
4 p sliced cheese
2 p taco meat
3 p pepperoni
1/2 bag french fries and hashbrowns
Fridge
2 gallons Milk
2 dz eggs
2 green peppers
2 tomatoes
1 lrg p Salad mix
3 naan bread
1 p pre-cooked bacon
2/3 p of raw bacon
1 celery
2 p crossaints
parm cheese
3 lemons
1 eggplant
and misc dressings, condiments, left over lunch meats, cheese etc.
So there you have it. I guess we will see how much it is reduced over the next month.
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